Relationship Map

A relationship map helps you to visualize relationships between a base CI and other (related) CIs. This allows you to figure out the dependencies between the CIs and analyze the impact of Changes on the CIs. Using the map you can view the number of pending requests, changes, etc raised for different modules such as Assets, Business, IT Services, etc. This alerts you to initiate appropriate actions to progressively reduce the recurring issues faced by your organization.

This document walks you through the below topics:

  1. Steps to View the Relationship Map
  2. Components of a Relationship Map
  3. Glossary of Terms
  4. Icons and Definitions
  5. Different Map Views
  6. Viewing Direct and Inverse CI Relationships in Map
  7. Actions from Map View

Steps to View the Relationship Map

  1. Click the CMDB tab and you will see the CMDB list view.
  2. Look for the required CI whose relationship map you wish to view.
  3. You can access the relationship map in two ways:
    1. From CMDB List View
    2. From CI Details page 

 

A sample Relationship Map depicting different CIs and their relationships

 

Components of a Relationship Map

In general, a Relationship Map is composed of nodes and their connections. The nodes are represented using a parent-child structure. In our context, the nodes are referred to as CIs and the connections are referred to as CI relationships. The relationship map also depicts cardinality (relationships in terms of numbers). 

See the sample screenshot for more clarity.

Glossary of Terms

Here`s a glossary of different terminologies used to interpret and understand a relationship map. 

The parent/child terminologies are just for the descriptive purpose, and they don't have anything to do with the functionalities of the CIs.

 

Sl No: Term Description  Reference in the sample screenshot 

1.

 Base CI 

The CI from which the map begins and for which the relationships are defined. 

John
2.

Related CIs

 

All CI(s) extending from the base CI. The related CIs are depicted using a parent-child structure.

 

Cisco_WebX_Service,Vulcan_Cluster,
Pangea_Cluster, etc.
3. Direct CI Relationship

The relationship between a parent CI and a child CI.

 

Cisco_WebX_Service  “Includes” 
Vulcan_Cluster.

Cisco_WebX_Service is  “Managed By” John
4. Inverse CI Relationship

The relationship between a child CI and a parent CI.

Note: The inverse relationship can be seen from the relationship map view of the child CI.

Vulcan_Cluster is a “Member of” Cisco_WebX_Service.

John “Manages” Cisco_WebX_Service.

Icons and Definitions
 

Sl No: Icon Function
1.

Click to zoom in and zoom out the map, respectively.
2.

Mouse over the CI to view this icon. Click to view the child CIs. Click this again to hide the child CIs. 
3.

Mouse over the CI to view this icon. Click to add more relationships.
4.

Click on any CI to view the CI details and associations.
5.

Click to see the horizontal view of the relationship map.
6.

Click to see the vertical view of the relationship map.
7.

Click to see the force view of the relationship map.

Map Views

Once you reach the relationship map view, you will have three ways to view the relationship map; horizontal, vertical, and force. In all the 3 views the base CI and different related CIs are arranged in a parent-child pattern with relationships defined between them.

The three views of relationship maps are explained using the example CI John of People CI type. 

1. Horizontal View

The map has a left-to-right tree structure starting with the base CI. 

 

 

 

 

2. Vertical View 

 

The map is shown in a top-to-bottom tree structure with the base CI at the top.

 

 

 

 

 

3. Force Layout

 

This is the only map view that is customizable and you can reposition the CI nodes as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

Viewing Direct and Inverse CI Relationships in Map

To view relationships between any 2 CIs you should define them first. The relationships can be either direct or inverse. 

Consider the relationship map of the CI John whose related CIs are Cisco_WebX_Service and Google_Azure_Service. Now, let's see how to interpret the direct and inverse CI relationships between the CIs John and Cisco_WebX_Service in the map. 

  1. First, let's view the direct relationship between John and Cisco_WebX_Service from the Relationships section of the base CI John:

In the below screenshot, John Manages Cisco_WebX_Service is a direct relationship.

  1. Now let's view the inverse relationship between the same CIs John and Cisco_WebX_Service from the Relationships section of the CI Cisco_WebX_Service:

In the below screenshot, Cisco_WebX_Service Managed by John is an inverse relationship:

 

 

Actions from Map View

 

You can perform the following actions from the map view:

 

 

Add Relationship

You can add more CI relationships in addition to the existing ones.

  1. Mouse over the CI and click . 
  2. Follow the same steps you followed in the CI details page to add more relationships.

View CI Details

  1. Click the CI to open the side panel.
  2. A side panel opens showing the basic configuration details of the CI.
  3. You can expand the side panel by clicking on the slider on the center of the side panel.
Note that this is a read-only view and you cannot modify any details. 

View Associations

You can view the pending requests and changes raised for the CI.

  1. Click the CI to open the side panel.
  2. A side panel opens showing the basic configuration details of the CI.
  3. Click the Associations tab. You will see all the CI associations added from the CI details page.
  4. Click on the slider on the center of the side panel to expand. This will provide detailed information about the CI associations.
Note that this is a read-only view and you cannot add any associations here.